Over 200 Lakota students honored 75 veterans as they participated in Honor Flight Tri-State’s last flight of the year on Oct. 23.

The morning began bright and early for a group of about 20 Lakota West students, as they headed to CVG airport at 3:30 a.m. in order to welcome the veterans and their guardians to their flight. The event was organized by the school’s new club, Patriotic Firebirds. Advisor Kristin Henley explains that the purpose of the group “is to support Firebirds who have joined the military or who are in the process of joining the military, their families and all veterans.”

As soon as they arrived at the airport, veterans were welcomed by members of Honor Flight Tri-State’s ground crew and three Lakota West students, all of whom will join the military upon graduation. Once inside, the veterans were greeted with cheers from the rest of the Lakota West students.

The cheering and sentiments of thanks continued when the group of veterans returned to Cincinnati in the evening, this time greeted by 180 Lakota East students. Grace Keith, president of the school’s Veterans Network club, summed it up well by asking, “Who wouldn’t want to come and honor veterans who didn’t get a welcome home the first time?”

This is the second year for Lakota East to welcome back an Honor Flight. After greeting a flight last year, the group was invited back again by Honor Flight Tri-State. Plans are already in the works to continue this new tradition next year. “Our faithful Lakota students once again gave us oldsters a renewed hope that gratitude to our heroes will not fade away. We'll save their ’spot’ as long as they want to fill it,” said Deanna Beineke from Honor Flight Tri-State.

Honor Flight Tri-State is a local organization that offers Honor Flights to veterans of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Veterans, along with a family member or chaperone, called a guardian, travel to Washington, D.C. for the day to visit their memorials. The group has been able to provide this trip to over 5,000 veterans.

Jerry Nelson, Americanism Chairman from American Legion Post 681, is grateful for the participation by Lakota students. “I want to thank both Lakota East and West for their contingents to send off and receive back the veterans visiting Washington D.C. We had two members from our post who were on the Honor Flight. The veterans really appreciate those being there!” he said.

Pictured above: Lakota East and Lakota West student volunteers representing the schools' Veterans Network Club and Patriotic Firebirds greeted veterans at the start and conclusion of their Honor Flight.